Nokia Merges Fixed, Mobile Access Units

Nokia has revamped its structure and top management team for the second time in just a few weeks with the announcement that it is combining its mobile and fixed networks units to create a single Access Networks Division from Jan. 1 next year.

The company is yet to announce who will lead that new division, but it won't be Marc Rouanne, who has been head of the mobile networks unit since April 2017: He has been replaced as President of Mobile Networks by Tommi Uitto with immediate effect and is leaving the company. (See Nokia Creates Access Networks Division, Rouanne to Leave.)

The new Access Networks Division will comprise the Mobile Networks unit, headed up by Uitto, and the Fixed Networks unit, which is currently seeking a new leader following the recent elevation of Federico Guillen to a new regional management role. (See Nokia Set for New Fixed Networks Chief.)

Nokia Corp. (NYSE: NOK) says combining the mobile and fixed access units makes sense in a market now focused on 5G architectures. "By creating a single Access Networks organization that includes both fixed and mobile, we can improve our customer focus, simplify our management structure, and more efficiently leverage our full portfolio," noted Nokia President and CEO Rajeev Suri in the official statement about the move.

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